ChinaAid Note: Following the surprising news Friday morning that Chinese authorities had revoked probation for Christian human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng and were sending him back to jail for three years, ChinaAid founder and president Bob Fu immediately contacted supporters in the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Congress and the European Parliament calling for a strong response. “Silence is not a diplomatic option,” he said. The statement below is the first public response by U.S. congressional leaders to Friday’s developments in Gao’s case.

Gao, a tireless advocate for political and religious dissenters, faces up to three years in prison for “seriously” violating his probation, according to Chinese news reports. Wolf and McGovern questioned how someone under House arrest and who actually went missing for more than a year-and-a-half could violate their parole.

“We urge the global community to speak with one voice and tell Beijing that Gao’s continued harassment and unjust imprisonment is simply unacceptable. It is critical that this administration must firmly stand up and show support for those who are jailed for peacefully seeking freedom and human rights,” said Wolf and McGovern.

The bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission was established in the U.S. House of Representatives to educate Members of Congress on human rights issues and advocate on behalf of human rights defenders world-wide.

"Bob Fu has dedicated his life to bringing freedom of religion to the Chinese people. His story is a testimony to the power of faith and an inspiration to people struggling to break free from oppression." —Mrs. Laura Bush